Method and System for Managing Telecommunications

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are disclosed that allow entities set up and send targeted calls and other communications over a network.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional application of commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/046,690, entitled: Method and System forManaging Telecommunications, filed on Feb. 18, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.______, which is related to and claims priority from commonly owned USProvisional Patent Applications: Ser. No. 62/273,299, entitled: Methodand System for Managing Telecommunications, filed on Dec. 30, 2015, andSer. No. 62/118,203, entitled: Method and System for ManagingTelecommunications, filed on Feb. 19, 2015, all three of the disclosuresof the aforementioned patent applications are incorporated by referencein their entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and systems for managingtelecommunications, in particular, network-based telecommunications.

BACKGROUND

Telemarketing has long been known as a way to directly place advertisersand other information providers into contact with consumers. However,many telemarketer calls are unwanted, nonconsensual, and consideredintrusive and annoying by consumers. As a result, legislation was passedin many countries to allow consumers to opt-out of telemarketer calls bybeing placed on a “do not call” list. Additionally, attempts to targetconsumers by telemarketers has met with increasing opposition, as manytelemarketer calls continue to be random and simply “cold calls.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a technology platform where consumers areempowered to better control the process of accepting or denying callsmade by telemarketers, along with other modes of network-basedcommunication, such as text messages, for the purpose of selling ormarketing products, services, and ideas to the general public via a‘controlled’ experience, such as a phone call connection. A controlledphone connection, for example, provides the telemarketing company withan opportunity to directly address consumers interested in the goods,services and/or information provided by the telemarketer, and havingtelemarketing calls answered by a pre-qualified audience of consumers.Whether the ‘controlled’ experience is in the context of a phone call ora text message, it is a consumer-driven environment characterized bytransparency and consumer consent and control.

The present invention provides for telemarketing, or informationproviding, including advertising companies to pay or bid for the rightto speak or otherwise communicate with consumers anonymously and forsharing in advance information about the types of goods and services ofinterest to the consumers. Accordingly, the invention is such that eachparticipating consumer registers one or more of their telephone numbersthrough the computerized system of the invention, that links to anetwork, such as the Internet. The computerized system of the inventionincludes a platform. The platform, for example, functions to rejectunregistered, unsolicited callers, for example, based on programs,instructions, rules and policies, to facilitate and connect calls orother network-based communications such as text messages, fromregistered advertisers, based on the participating consumer'spreferences. Each call that is connected or other communication that ismade will have a price/cost that will be automatically determined byformula, e.g., the category, time of day, geography, customer, etc., andvarious algorithms, that will be paid by a pre-registered telemarketer.If a call is not connected, fees will not be charged to the payingtelemarketer. If a connection is made between telemarketer and theconsumer, a cost will be charged to the telemarketer and the total costwill be determined by formula, which may be a flat price, or a price perminute, some combination thereof, or through some other methodology. Thetelemarketer will not know the identity or telephone number of theconsumer to whom they are connected, unless and until it is revealed bythe consumer.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method formanaging telecommunications. The method comprises: detecting, by acommunication system, a telecommunication from over a communicationsnetwork, from a calling entity; associating data with the callingentity; selecting a consumer from a plurality of consumers to receivethe telephone communication based on a correlation of data associatedwith the calling entity and data associated with the consumer;determining a first amount associated with the telecommunication forbeing charged to the calling entity; automatically transmitting thetelecommunication from the calling entity over the communicationsnetwork, to a telecommunication receiving device associated with theselected consumer, such that the consumer is anonymous to callingentity; and, determining whether the telecommunication is chargeable tothe calling entity.

Optionally, the method additionally comprises: the communication systemincluding at least one filter and applying at least one filter to thetelecommunication to determine whether the telecommunication is to betransmitted to the telecommunication receiving device associated withthe selected consumer.

Optionally, the method additionally comprises: determining, by thecommunication system, whether the calling entity is permitted tocommunicate by telecommunications with the plurality of consumersthrough the communication system.

Optionally, the selecting a consumer includes providing a targetingengine to automatically determine the consumer whose telecommunicationreceiving device is to receive the transmitted telecommunication fromthe calling entity.

Optionally, the data associated with the calling entity includes datareceived by the communication system from the calling entity about thecalling entity.

Optionally, the data associated with each consumer of the plurality ofconsumers includes data received by the communication system from eachof the consumers about each respective consumer.

Optionally, the communication system includes a computerized platform.

Optionally, the calling entity includes at least one of: a telemarketer,an information provider or an advertiser.

Optionally, the telecommunication includes at least one of voice overinternet protocol (VOIP), smartphone calls, short message service (SMS),text messages, telephone calls, digital video or electronic mail.

Optionally, the method additionally comprises: debiting an account ofthe calling entity by a second amount when it is determined that thetelecommunication is chargeable to the calling entity.

Optionally, the second amount is at least the first amount, and thefirst and second amounts are monetary amounts.

Optionally, when it is determined that the telecommunication is not tobe transmitted to the telecommunication receiving device associated withthe selected consumer, determining whether a disposable telephone numberis associated with the selected consumer, and, should a disposabletelephone number be associated with the selected consumer, opening avoice mail box for receiving a communications via the transmittedtelecommunication from the calling entity.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method forfacilitating electronic contact, for example, electronic communications,between at least one consumer and an information provider. The methodcomprises: placing, by a computerized platform (platform), aninformation provider into interactive contact with a consumer via anelectronic communication, based on one or more contact parametersassociated with the consumer; and, maintaining, by the computerizedplatform, the anonymity of the consumer during the interactive contactvia the electronic communication.

Optionally, the placing the information provider into interactivecontact with the consumer includes the computerized platform correlatinginformation associated with the information provider with the one ormore contact parameters associated with the consumer.

Optionally, the electronic communication is received by the computerizedplatform upon being initiated from the information provider.

Optionally, the contact parameters include: the type of electroniccommunication desired by the consumer, the times when electroniccommunications may be received by the consumer, the number of electroniccontacts over a time period, the subject of information desired frominformation providers.

Optionally, the computerized platform classifies the consumer into atype of consumer based on information provided to the computerizedplatform by the consumer.

Optionally, the information associated with the information providerincludes one or more of the subject of the information provided by theinformation provider, and requests for contact with types of consumers.

Optionally, the computerized platform assigns a monetary value to eachinteractive contact, and designates the monetary value for receipt bythe consumer upon completion of the interactive contact.

Optionally, the electronic communication includes at least one of atelephone call, a smartphone call, a voice over internet protocol (VOIP)call, a short message service (SMS) communication, text message, digitalvideo or electronic mail.

Optionally, the information provider includes at least one of aninformation provider, a telemarketer or an advertiser.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer usablenon-transitory storage medium having a computer program embodied thereonfor causing a suitable programmed system to manage electroniccommunications, by performing the following steps when such program isexecuted on the system. The steps comprise: placing an informationprovider into interactive contact with a consumer via an electroniccommunication, based on one or more contact parameters associated withthe consumer; and, maintaining the anonymity of the consumer during theinteractive contact via the electronic communication. For example, thecontact parameters include: the type of electronic communication desiredby the consumer, the times when electronic communications may bereceived by the consumer, the number of electronic contacts over a timeperiod, the subject of information desired from information providers.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer systemfor managing electronic communications. The computer system comprises: astorage medium for storing computer components; and, a computerizedprocessor for executing the computer components. The computer componentscomprise: a computer module configured for: placing an informationprovider into interactive contact with a consumer via an electroniccommunication, based on one or more contact parameters associated withthe consumer; and, maintaining the anonymity of the consumer during theinteractive contact via the electronic communication. For example, thecontact parameters include: the type of electronic communication desiredby the consumer, the times when electronic communications may bereceived by the consumer, the number of electronic contacts over a timeperiod, the subject of information desired from information providers.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for calleridentification (ID). The method comprises: setting a code correspondingto a user; associating the code with calls from an entity; and, causingthe code to display on a telephone associated with the user when callsare transmitted from the entity.

Optionally, the caller ID method is such that the entity includes acomputerized calling platform.

Optionally, the caller ID method is such that the telephone includes: asmartphone, cellular phone or other mobile device.

This document references terms that are used consistently orinterchangeably herein. These terms, including variations thereof, areas follows.

The term, “telemarketer,” singular and plural, refers to pre-registered(with the system of the invention) businesses on the platform that pay(for example, by bidding) to be connected to and speak with or otherwisecommunicate with (for example, via text messages) consumers aboutparticular products and/or services, or provide information. There maybe conditions where the telemarketer does not have to pay or bid to beconnected to and speak with or otherwise communicate with a consumer.For avoidance of doubt, the term “telemarketer” may be any type ofadvertiser seeking to communicate with a consumer via a network-enableddevice, be it a mobile device such as a smart phone, tablet, vehicle,wearable device (e.g., a smart watch) or laptop computer, or a desktopor other digital device such as desktop computer or smart TV.

The term “consumer,” singular and plural is, for example, an individualperson, or other entity, who pre-registers with the platform, to accepttelemarketer calls and who will be paid a fee for speaking to businessesabout products and/or services of interest to the individual or entity.The “consumer” is also able to register with the platform to rejectunwanted and unsolicited calls from telemarketers. The terms “click”,“clicks”, “click on”, “clicks on”, “activates”, and “activation”,involves the activation of a computer pointing apparatus, such as adevice commonly known as a mouse, or a touch, swipe, contact, or thelike on a touch screen with or without a stylus, on a location on acomputer screen display, including screen displays of tablets, mobiletelephones and other mobile devices. The screen displays areactivatable, for example, by an activatable icon, that causes an actionof the various software and or hardware, including that for executingapplications and supporting the computer screen display.

Throughout this document, a “web site” is a related collection of WorldWide Web (WWW) files that includes a beginning file or “web page” calleda home page, and typically, additional files or “web pages.” The term“web site” is used collectively to include “web site” and “web page(s).”

A uniform resource locator (URL) is the unique address for a file, suchas a web site or a web page, that is accessible over networks includingthe Internet.

A “computer” includes machines, computers and computing or computersystems (for example, physically separate locations or devices),servers, computer and computerized devices, processors, processingsystems, computing cores (for example, shared devices), and similarsystems, workstations, modules and combinations of the aforementioned.The aforementioned “computer” may be in various types, such as apersonal computer (e.g., laptop, desktop, tablet computer), or any typeof computing device, including mobile devices that can be readilytransported from one location to another location (e.g., a smartphone,personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone or cellulartelephone, a watch digitally linked to a network such as the Internet,or other wearable technology such as a digital watch, bracelet orwristband (e.g., a Fitbit™ device) or a Bluetooth headset or othernetworked headset, or a digital entertainment/communications systemintegrated with or into a home, apartment or office, or a vehicle suchas an automobile, boat, airplane, or cycle such as a bicycle ormotorcycle.

A server is typically a remote computer or remote computer system, orcomputer program therein, in accordance with the “computer” definedabove, that is accessible over a communications medium, such as acommunications network or other computer network, including theInternet. A “server” provides services to, or performs functions for,other computer programs (and their users), in the same or othercomputers. A server may also include a virtual machine or a softwarebased emulation of a computer.

An “application” or “software application”, includes executablesoftware, and optionally, any graphical user interfaces (GUI), throughwhich certain functionalities can be implemented.

A “client” is an application that runs on a computer, workstation or thelike and relies on a server to perform some of its operations orfunctionality.

The terms “n” and “n^(th)” are representative of the last member of aseries or sequence of members, for example, servers, databases,computers, elements, with the series being definite or indefinite.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and/or scientific termsused herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Althoughmethods and materials similar or equivalent to those described hereinmay be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention,exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. To the extent ofany conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, willcontrol. In addition, the materials, methods and examples areillustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by wayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Withspecific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that theparticulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrativediscussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, thedescription taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled inthe art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numeralsor characters indicate corresponding or like components. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary environment for the system in whichembodiments of the disclosed subject matter are performed;

FIG. 2A is a diagram of the architecture of the home server of FIG. 1and the system thereof;

FIGS. 2B and 2C are diagrams of exemplary databases of the architectureof FIG. 2A; and,

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a flow diagram of a process in accordance withembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents and/or methods set forth in the following description and/orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more non-transitory computerreadable (storage) medium(s) having computer readable program codeembodied thereon.

Throughout this document, numerous textual and graphical references aremade to trademarks, and domain names. These trademarks and domain namesare the property of their respective owners, and are referenced only forexplanation purposes herein.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which shows an exemplary operatingenvironment, including a network 100, to which is linked a home server(HS) 102, also known as a main or central server. The home server 102also defines a system 102′, either alone or with other computers,including servers, components, and applications, e.g., clientapplications, associated with home server 102, as detailed below. Thesystem 102′ manages and controls communications betweentelemarketers/information providers/advertisers (TIPA) 110 a-110 n(collectively referred to as “telemarketers”), and consumers 120 a-120n. Numerous functions of the system 102′ may be outside the home server102, in “the cloud,” represented by cloud servers 105 a-105 n, alsolinked to the network 100. The cloud servers 105 a-105 n are typicallyequipped with hard drives or otherwise facilitate data storage, due tothe potentially large amounts of data, or “big data,” as handled by thesystem 102′. The home server 102 may also store one or moreapplications, such as a consumer application (CAPP) 103, detailed below,accessible by the consumers 120 a-120 n, for optional download to theirsmartphones, mobile computers or other mobile devices and the like. Thedownloaded consumer application is indicated in FIG. 1 as CAPP 103′.Consumers 120 a-120 n who elect to download the application may find itmore convenient to access and use, particularly if they wish to accesssystem 102′ while not in front of a desktop computer. The download,however, is purely optional. Further, home server 102 may store atelemarketer/information provider/advertiser (TIPA) application (TAPP)106, detailed below, accessible by advertisers, telemarketers orinformation providers 110 a-110 n who have the option to download theapplication to their smartphones, mobile computers or other mobiledevices and the like. The downloaded telemarketer (TIPA) application isindicated in FIG. 1 as TAPP 106′. Telemarketers who elect to downloadthe application may benefit from access to system 102′ even when theyare not in front of a desktop computer. Like the consumer application103, the telemarketer application 106 is purely optional.

The consumer application 103 can also be stored on an application server104, linked to the network 100. This server 104 makes the application103 accessible to the consumers 120 a-120 n, for download to theirsmartphones, mobile devices and the like. The application 103, onceinstalled and running (executing) on the smartphone, tablet, or othercomputer of the user may include a graphical user interface (GUI) withdisplay call buttons. These call buttons are linked to both the system102′ as well as individual telemarketers, either directly, orindirectly, through the system 102′. For example, a call button linkingthe consumer to the system 102′, may cause one or more menus to bepresented to the consumer, such that the consumer can select either theinterest category or subject (e.g., insurance, banking, travel, etc.) orthe exact telemarketer he or she wants to call or to receive a callfrom, and, for example, at a designated time or at the time the callbutton is pressed by the consumer. Consumer application 103 permits theconsumer to select preferences of the manner of contact, such as whetherthey wish to be called on a particular day and time-frame, or whetherthey wish to receive text messages or other electronic communications ona particular day and time-frame, or some combination of text messagesand phone calls. For example, some consumers may appreciate a textmessage confirming an appointment from a marketer, while other consumersmay only want to receive and send text messages, Short Message Service(SMS), electronic mail (email), digital video, or other forms ofelectronic communication. Consumer application (CAPP) 103 communicatesand coordinates with non-calling electronic communications module(NCECM) 215 to the extent the consumer makes selections for modes ofcommunication other than voice calls. All the consumer-facing featuresof system 102′ are integrated with the consumer application (CAPP) 103,permitting the consumer to change or update their profile, password,name, category interests, calling and communication preferences and thelike. Similarly, for example, the consumer may select disposabletelephone numbers, enter sweepstakes, review rewards options and makerewards selections, review activity and status reports, and suspend oractivate calling or other communications to their account throughapplication (CAPP) 103.

Significantly, at the consumer's election, all communication between theconsumer and participating telemarketers may be routed throughapplication (CAPP) 103, to preserve the consumer's privacy and otherpreferences. Application (CAPP) 103 provides the consumer the option ofreceiving voice calls via Wi-Fi® through the application itself, insteadreceiving calls from participating marketers through ringing theconsumer's cellular phone number registered with system 102′. Similarly,application (CAPP) 103 provides the consumer the option of receivingelectronic messages, including text messages, through application 103itself, instead of through a third party text messaging applicationusing, for example, SMS technology.

Telemarketer (TIPA) application (TAPP) 106 can also be stored on anapplication server 104, linked to the network 100. Similar toapplication (CAPP) 103, server 104 makes the application (TAPP) 106accessible to the telemarketers or information providers 110 a-110 n,for download to their smartphones, mobile devices and the like. Theapplication (TAPP) 106, once installed and running (executing) on thesmartphone, tablet, or other computer of the user may include agraphical user interface (GUI) with display call buttons. These callbuttons are linked to both the system 102′ as well as individualconsumers, either directly, or indirectly, through the system 102′. Forexample, a call button linking the telemarketer to the system 102′, maycause one or more menus to be presented to the telemarketer, such thatthe marketer can create a promotional campaign within a specificinterest category or subject (e.g., insurance, banking, travel, etc.),including identification of one or more demographic characteristicsstored in consumer database 211, of the type of consumer the marketerwishes to reach. The marketer may also fund campaigns, transfer fundsbetween campaigns, and utilize the other accounting and reportingfeatures in accounting module 214, through application 106. Further, thetelemarketer may start or continue the marketer's promotional orinformational campaigns stored in system 102′ through the application(TAPP) 106. In short, all the marketer-facing features of system 102′are integrated with and available to the telemarketer or informationprovider through the application (TAPP) 106.

The network 100 is, for example, a communications network, such as aLocal Area Network (LAN), or a Wide Area Network (WAN), including publicnetworks such as the Internet. As shown in FIG. 1, the network 100, maybe a single network, such as the Internet, but is typically acombination of networks and/or multiple networks including, for example,cellular or Bluetooth or other networks. “Linked” as used hereinincludes both wired or wireless links, either direct or indirect, andplacing the computers, including, servers, components and the like, inelectronic and/or data communications with each other.

There are also servers 110 a-110 n representative of entities, such astelemarketers. These servers 110 a-110 n are linked to the network 100and are such that they connect to telephones or telephone systems (notshown) of each telemarketer, represented by the respective server 110a-110 n. These servers 110 a-110 n are configured to place telephonecalls to the consumers 120 a-120 n through coordination with the homeserver (HS) 102 and over the network 100, by protocols including thosefor voice over internet protocols (VOIP), voice packets, Skype™, Viber™,Tango™, and the like.

While the home server 102, cloud servers 105 a-105 n, and entity servers110 a-110 n are shown, there may be additional servers linked to thenetwork 100, but they are optional and not germane to the operation ofthe present invention. Also, all of the aforementioned servers 102, 105a-105 n, 110 a-110 n may be single or multiple servers.

Consumers are represented by their telephones, mobile devices, orwearables 120 a-120 n, that link to the network 100, for all or a partof their communications. The telephones or mobile devices 120 a-120 nare one of, for example, smart phones, cellular phones, tablets,laptops, personal computers, and/or wearable technology, such aswatches, bracelets, headsets, or headwear (for example, Google® Glass®)capable of receiving calls, text messages, SMS messages, email, digitalvideo, or other digital or electronic communications, as well astraditional POTS (plain old telephone system) telephones, where somepart of the telephone call from the respective telemarketer, from therespective server 110 a-110 n, travels over the network 100.Accordingly, this is represented by the consumer telephones or mobiledevices 120 a-120 n being linked to the network 100.

FIG. 2A shows an architecture for the system 102′ of the invention, in,for example, the home server 102. The system 102′ operates a platform,and these terms (system 102′ and platform) are used interchangeablyherein. The platform 102′ is, for example, network, e.g., Internet,based, and includes one or more mobile device software applications 103,that facilitate communications, for example, telephone-based calls orother networked communications such as text messages to consumers onbehalf of telemarketers that would like to speak or communicate aboutparticular products and services. The platform for example, iscomputerized (operates as or similar to a computer, as defined above),and also includes modules, engines and other computerized components formanaging telemarketer account information; filteringunregistered/unwanted telemarketers by intercepting their calls totelephone numbers registered by consumers with the system 102′. Theplatform also includes modules, engines and other computerizedcomponents for deploying targeting algorithms; automatically connectingeach telemarketer soliciting a specific product or service with consumerwho previously expressed general interest in such product or service.The platform is programmed with, for example, rules and policies, aswell as for administration, for divulging to the telemarketer only asmuch information about the consumer, as permitted by the consumer. Thisallows consumers to make choices about adding, updating and managingtheir preferences about the amount of information, if any, they permitthe platform to divulge to telemarketers registered with the platform,as well as the number and mode of calls or other communications theywill accept over time. For example, some consumers may prefer to have atext message in advance of a call confirming the date and time of thecall or may prefer a text message in lieu of a call or some othercombination of calling, text messaging or other communications. Theplatform also maintains account information for telemarketers andconsumers, which may be updated or deleted periodically, or when inputfrom, respectively, the telemarketer, consumer or an administrator ofthe system 102′.

The architecture includes one or more components, engines, modules andthe like, for providing numerous additional server functions andoperations, and, for running the processes of the system 102′ of theinvention, with those that are germane to the invention shown anddescribed below. The home server (HS) 102 may be associated withadditional storage, memory, caches and databases, both internal andexternal thereto. For explanation purposes, the home server (HS) 102 mayhave a uniform resource locator (URL) of, for example, www.hs.com. Theentity servers 110 a-110 n are such that they map to the homer server102, so that the system administers and controls the telephone callsmade to the consumers 120 a-120 n, in accordance with the presentinvention.

The architecture of the system 102′ (platform), as shown, for example,in the home server 102, includes a central processing unit (CPU) 202formed of one or more processors, electronically connected, i.e., eitherdirectly or indirectly, including in electronic and/or datacommunication with storage/memory 204, a call or communications module206, a score module 207, a network interface 208, a disposable telephonenumber module 209, storage media, such as databases 210, 211, anaccounting module 214, a non-calling electronic communications module(NCECM) 215, and a bid administration module 216. The call module 206,network interface 208, storage media, such as databases 210, 211,accounting module 214, non-calling electronic communications module 215,and bid administration module 216, are also linked to each other, eitherdirectly or indirectly, with some linkages noted below.

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) 202 is formed of one or moreprocessors, including microprocessors, for performing the home server102 and system 102′ (platform) functions and operations detailed herein,including controlling the call module 206, the score module 207,interface 208, disposable telephone number module 209, databases 210,211, accounting module 214, non-calling electronic communications module215, and bid administration module 216. The processors are, for example,conventional processors, such as those used in servers, computers, andother computerized devices. For example, the processors may include x86Processors from AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)® and Intel®, Xenon® andPentium® processors from Intel, as well as any combinations thereof.

The storage/memory 204 is any conventional storage media. Thestorage/memory 204 stores machine executable instructions for executionby the CPU 202, to perform the processes of the invention. Thestorage/memory 204 also includes machine executable instructionsassociated with the operation of the components, including the callmodule 206, score module 207, interface 208, disposable telephone numbermodule 209, database 210, 211 manipulations, the accounting module 214,the non-calling electronic communications module 215, and bidadministration module 216, detailed herein. The storage/memory 204 also,for example, stores rules and policies for the system 102′ and the homeserver 102. The processors of the CPU 202 and the storage/memory 204,although shown as a single component for representative purposes, may bemultiple components, and may be outside of the home server 102 and/orthe system 102′, and linked to the network 100.

The call or communications module 206 is designed to handlecommunications over the network 100, such as the Internet, cellularnetworks and the like. The call module 206 includes a targeting engine206a, which includes instructions, as well as rules and policies, forexample, for determining which calls or other communications to make,e.g., which telemarketer to which consumer, by evaluating the databases210, 211 in real time, establishing the call or other communicationbetween the telemarketer 110 a-110 n (for example, telemarketers 110 a,110 b, 110 c and 110 n, representing Telemarketer 1, Telemarketer 2,Telemarketer 3 and Telemarketer n, respectively) and the consumer 120a-120 n (for example, consumers 120 a, 120 b, 120 c and 120 n,representing Consumer 1, Consumer 2, Consumer 3 and Consumer n,respectively), sending (transmitting) the call or other communicationout of the system 102′ over the network 100 without revealing to thetelemarketer the telephone number or identity of the consumer beingcalled, call filtration, and reporting the call and/or completionthereof with the amount associated with the call, to the accountingmodule 214 (which handles telemarketer account balances and administerscredits and payments to the various consumers 120 a-120 n). The callmodule 206 also computes the price/cost of each call that will be paidby a pre-registered telemarketer. The price is determined, for example,by a formula, which takes into account parameters such as the category,time of day, geography, customer, types of services (e.g., voice calls,text messaging, specific appointment scheduling, click-to-call), etc.,and various proprietary algorithms. The call module 206 includes varioustargeting algorithms, for example, for automatically connecting eachtelemarketer soliciting a specific product or service with a consumerwho previously expressed general interest in such product or service.The call module 206 is also equipped to deploy these targetingalgorithms.

The call module 206 includes one or more filters 206 b and call blockingprograms. For example, calls are automatically blocked for consumers inthe system 102′ who have indicated that they do not want anytelemarketer calls. The call module 206 also includes one or more “DoNot Call” lists as received from government and non-governmentorganizations, or programs for accessing these lists and checking them,as well as other blocked caller lists such as those compiled from dataprovided by registered consumers, so as to perform a final check that itis acceptable to call the requisite consumer or to permit a call placedto a registered phone number to freely ring through to the consumer.

The call module 206 also includes one or more filters 206 b, such asrules and policies associated with acceptable and approved telemarketerswho may use the system 102′, and further includes lists of approvedtelemarketers. The call module 206 can perform comparisons of thetelemarketer attempting to initiate a call, to those approvedtelemarketers on the list, to see if the telemarketer is an approvedtelemarketer. The call module 206 can also monitor the system 102′ todetect calls as having been input or entered into the system 102′. Callsare detected by the call module 206 as either, the telemarketer signalsthe call module 206 to initiate a call, or the call module 206intercepts a call placed to a consumer telephone number registered indatabase 211. The filters 206 b in the call module 206 may be hardware,software, or combinations thereof.

The call module 206 also communicates with disposable telephone numbermodule 209. Disposable telephone number module 209 can assign phonenumbers to the consumer or permit the consumer to select availablenumbers in whole or in part. The consumer may provide the telephonenumber provided by disposable telephone number module 209 in lieu ofproviding other phone numbers owned by the consumer. The consumer canselect preferences associated with the number provided by disposabletelephone number module 209, such as whether a call to that numbershould ring or the manner in which it should ring (e.g., a unique toneor vibration), or whether the call should be immediately redirected to avoicemail box configured by the consumer, which the consumer may checkat their convenience. Again, depending upon consumer preferences, thedisposable phone number may only be able to receive calls, and may notbe used or usable to make outgoing phone calls.

The call module 206 also communicates with a score module 207. Thisscore module 207 places a value on each consumer, of the consumerdatabase 211, for example, by assigning each consumer a score. Forexample, a telemarketer may have to pay or bid above a baseline amount,or bid or agree to a premium to speak with a high value or high scoreconsumer, the standard amount to speak with a medium value or mediumscore consumer, or less than a designated amount to speak to a low valueor low score consumer. These values and scores are factors which go intodetermining the price for the call, as determined by the call module206, as detailed above. For example, the value may be determined by webanalytics, looking at a consumer's browsing habits, or other webbehaviors, such as the types of products purchased on line. For example,if a consumer views restaurant web sites and downloads coupons orredeems electronic coupons, this consumer is a high value or high scoreconsumer for a telemarketer running a campaign which is associated withrestaurant coupons.

Call module 206 uses Caller ID technology to reveal to the consumercalled that it is a call from the system 102′. A consumer with Caller IDequipment who is contacted will know before answering the call that thecaller is a telemarketer registered with system 102′ who will pay tospeak with the consumer, and that the telemarketer is offering goods orservices of interest, or information to the caller.

The Caller ID technology disclosed herein, is as follows. Conventionalconsumer Caller ID technology is not easy to customize and modify ondemand. The Caller ID of system 102′ appears to the consumer as aten-digit phone number or alpha numeric term or code, selected in wholeor in part by the consumer during their registration or at any time viathe consumer's account management, for easy recognition; it is stored inConsumer Database 211 (FIG. 2A and 2C). For example, a consumer bornOctober 11 may select “1011” (as October is the 10^(th) month of theyear) for the last four digits of a customizable phone number oralpha-numeric code, as part of the caller ID technology permittedthrough call module 206. The consumer can then recognize a call to theirsmartphone displaying the selected number, with “1011” as the last fourdigits in the caller ID, will always be a call from the system 102′. Theconsumer may easily modify their Caller ID at any time, through theiraccount management portal. By way of further example, the Caller ID maybe an alpha numeric code, such as “Optincall-1011,” and may furtherstate category specific information, for example, “Optincall Insurance1011.”

The ease with which the consumer may create a unique Caller ID and theease with which they may change it serves as an important tool toprotect the consumer's privacy. Conventional Caller ID technology hasbeen undermined by the ability to manipulate, mask or disguise theaccurate identity of the caller. An unscrupulous marketer not registeredwith system 102′ may mask their true identity and utilize a number orname designed to trick and induce the consumer to answer the phone.However, hackers or other unapproved, unregistered or other unwantedusers will not easily guess the unique Caller ID of each consumer whoregisters an account with system 102′. Consumers will have more accurateinformation, knowing that a caller is properly registered with system102′, when they see their individual and unique Caller ID, while anyunrecognized Caller ID may be an unsolicited commercial caller or otherunknown and unwanted caller.

The call module 206 also serves to group one or more users by criteria,such as geographic location and time zone. For example, the Kansas Citymetropolitan area covers two states, Missouri and Kansas, both in the USCentral Time Zone. A roofing company may want to conduct telemarketingon Saturday, between 9:00 am and 10:30 am, when people are home, andhave agreed to take a call at this time. For example, these recipientshave input into the system, e.g., database 211, times when they preferto be called. The call module 206 would group these recipients fortelemarketing by the roofing company.

Staying with the example of the Kansas City metropolitan area, atelemarketer may wish to discuss automobile insurance products. However,since Missouri and Kansas are different states, it may only be pertinentto speak with Missouri residents, as there may be a recent change inMissouri automobile insurance law, which requires new coveragelimitations. Accordingly, the call module 206 would group these Missourirecipients for telemarketing by the automobile insurance company.

The call module 206 also interfaces and coordinates with non-callingelectronic communications module 215, which functions to transmit textmessages and other electronic (but non-voice based) communicationsassociated with cellular telephone, Wi-Fi® and similarly networkedservices. By sending text messages to a registered phone number,recipients are reminded and alerted in advance, about when they canexpect a call from the system 102′, based on the earlier preferencesthey input. The non-calling electronic communications module 215 cancheck the calendaring and timing of calls scheduled through call module206, as well as consumer preferences stored in database 211, todetermine whether, when, and how to transmit a text or other electronicmessage to notify a consumer that they will receive a call in the nearfuture.

The text messages transmitted typically include activatable graphicslinked to web sites or other networked destinations, such that whentouched, “clicked” or otherwise activated, the consumer can confirm thatthe call-appointment continues to be relevant and convenient, orpermitting the consumer to modify or cancel the appointment date, time,or subject category, or be redirected to the web site of an advertiseror content provider, which is rendered to the user's computer browsingapplication, or a direct phone call over the network 100, to theadvertiser or other content provider may be initiated (i.e., a click-to-call implementation). In short, the text messages or other electroniccommunications can simultaneously serve multiple purposes, ranging fromconfirming an upcoming call, to initiating an immediate call to anadvertiser or a call center, to rescheduling a call, or simply providinga promotional message and/or allowing the consumer to be directed to awebsite, all depending upon the consumer's preferences, recorded andupdated from time to time in database 211. Further, the consumer canrespond to the text or other electronic message when convenient to theconsumer, in contrast to a ringing phone which by its nature generates amore urgent and immediate call-to-action on the part of the consumer.

The interface module 208 functions to handle all calls and othercommunications being sent over the network to consumers 120 a-120 n andreceived over the network 100 from consumers 120 a-120 n, and to specifyhow the system 102′ requests, retrieves, and may share data from serversand other computers and the like outside of the system 102′, includingthose linked to the network 100. The interface module 208 also functionsto facilitate the interaction of the various software, components,modules, and databases with each other, and also interactions with otherservers and the like outside of the system 102′, for operation of thedisclosed processes.

The databases 210 for telemarketers 110 a (Telemarketer 1) to 110 n(Telemarketer n) of FIG. 2B, and 211 for consumers 110 a (Consumer 1) to110 n (Consumer n), of FIG. 2C, include numerous databases in one ormore storage media. The telemarketer database 210 of FIG. 2B includesgeneral information about the telemarketer, its account balance and anyspecific budgets, as well as a list of promotional campaigns for goodsand services, associated with a set of keywords or categories (e.g.,travel, insurance, clothing, etc.), and demographic and/or psychographicdata important for each respective promotional campaign. Each campaignregistered in the database 210 corresponds to a unique code.

The consumer database 211 of FIG. 2C includes information about theconsumers, including demographic and/or psychographic information theconsumer may voluntarily elect to disclose about themselves (e.g.,married or single, homeowner or renter, male or female, etc.), alongwith an indication of the level of calls or other communications (e.g.,text message appointment confirmations and/or offers) they are willingto periodically accept from the system 102′ (e.g., none, a few, ormany), as well as a list of criteria (keywords, attributes orcategories) for which that consumer agrees to accept telemarketer callsand/or other communications such as text messages, the times when theyprefer to be contacted, and the products and/or services in which theyhave an interest. Consumers may, by indicating authorization, allow thesystem 102′ to disclose a consumer's association with an actual productor service. Some consumers may agree to receive promotional textmessages in addition to receiving calls; some may only wish to receivetext messages confirming or reminding them about calls which will happenin the near future; some consumers may only wish to receive calls andmay not want any text messages. Whatever their communications andinformation disclosure preferences, they are noted via the system'sgraphical user interface, and stored in the database 211.

Consumers are then contacted in the manner and at the times requested bythem. For example, a consumer may have State Farm® automobile insurance,but may be interested in seeking additional information on automobileinsurance, including that from State Farm® Insurance, via voice-basedcalls and/or text messages. Should the consumer authorize the system102′ to disclose this information, an insurance telemarketer would havethis information when speaking with the consumer on the telemarketingcall, and the telemarketer may adjust its telemarketing strategyaccordingly. For example, a State Farm telemarketer may elect not tocontact that consumer at all, as they are an existing customer and theState Farm telemarketer may only wish to spend its telemarketing budgeton acquiring new customers; or the State Farm telemarketer may desire tospend its telemarketing budget only contacting existing customers inorder to sell them additional services; or a telemarketer competing withState Farm may wish to contact that consumer in order to persuade themto switch from State Farm to another brand of insurance; or atelemarketer competing with State Farm may not with to contact thatconsumer because the consumer already has State Farm auto insurance; orsince the consumer authorized promotional text messaging in addition toreceiving phone calls, State Farm may decide to only contact theconsumer via a text message promotional campaign, which may utilizefewer resources and entail lower costs, than assigning a telemarketer tocontact the consumer.

The demographic and/or psychographic information voluntarily disclosedby a particular consumer (e.g., gender, home ownership, car ownershipvs. car lease, etc.) may influence the composition and ranking ofinterest categories presented or displayed to the consumer in theregistration process and in the management of their account. Consumersmay consequently be presented with a customized selection of categorieswhich are of more interest to them. For example, a consumer indicatingthat they rent a home may be presented with the category renter'sinsurance but not the category of home owner's insurance. A consumer whohas not indicated whether they own or rent a home may be presented withboth of the categories for renter's and home owner's insurance.

Additionally, there are instructions on how the system 102′ works,displayed to the consumer via the Platform's 102 website (for example,hosted by the home server 102), in which it is explained that the moreinformation the consumer reveals, the more likely they are to receiverelevant calls or other communications (e.g., text messages), and themore calls they accept, the greater the likelihood of being paid morefor participation in the program offered through the Platform. If aconsumer elects to not disclose demographic or psychographic informationand indicates they will not accept any telemarketing calls through thePlatform, the consumer will not receive payments (or will not receive asmany payments) but will receive the call filtering/call blocking,disposable phone number and other functionality offered by the system102′.

The bid administration (Admin.) module 216, functions to handle bids ofthe various telemarketers/information providers/advertisers, who desireto bid on call prices, in order to reach desired consumers. Should thesystem 102′ be opened up to a bidding format, the bid administrationmodule 216 would administer the bidding process, and operate inconjunction with the call module 206, for establishing the call based onthe accepted and selected bids of telemarketers/informationproviders/advertisers.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 3A and 3B which show a flow diagramdetailing computer-implemented processes in accordance with embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter. Reference is also made to elementsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C. The process and sub-processes of FIGS. 3Aand 3B are computerized processes performed by the system 102′. Theaforementioned processes and sub-processes can be, for example,performed manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, and, forexample, in real time.

The process begins at the START block 300. At the START block 300,telemarketers 110 a-110 n at block 302 a, and consumers 110 a-110 n, atblock 302 b, provide information to populate the respective databases210, 211, which is received by the system 102′ and the databases 210(Telemarketers/Information Providers/Advertisers (TIPA)), 211(Consumers), are populated accordingly.

At block 302 a, for example, the telemarketer provides input, such asinformation about their products and services, the types of consumers,with whom they want to contact and speak with and other criteria. Thetelemarketer also sets up its monetary account with the accountingmodule 214 of the system 102′. All of this input data is received by thesystem 102′ and stored in the various system 102′ databases, such asdatabase 210.

At block 302 b, the consumer registers one or more phone numbers whichthe call module 206 shall be able to monitor, for example in order topermit calls to ring through, or to block. The system 102′ also receivesinformation from consumers, for example, consumer information such asidentity information, e.g., one or more of name, email, address,telephone number, fax number, password(s), other information about theconsumer, such as age, marital status, children information, interests,occupation, hobbies and the like, desired or minimum monetary amount theconsumer would like to receive for each call (or various amountsdepending on the information/subject of a telemarketer call), the calls,types of calls or other communications, such as text messages, they wantto receive, and contact parameters, such as the day/time they want to ordo not want to be contacted, the maximum number of calls or texts orother communications they wish to receive per month (or week or otherrelevant time period) and the like. This information is stored in thesystem 102′ databases, such as the database 211. This information isreceived by system 102′ either through website/portal or via the CAPP103′, or a combination thereof, depending upon a consumer's preferences,behavior and convenience.

From blocks 302a and 302 b, the process moves to block 304.

At block 304, a call is detected by the call module 206, as having beeninput or entered into the system 102′. This call is any call which aregistered consumer has allowed the system 102′ to receive or intercept,for example, ranging from all calls all the time, to calls at certaindays, times, and the like. The process moves to block 306, where thecall is detected by the call module 206 as either from a telemarketerregistered with the system 102′ (known as a registered telemarketer), oranother caller. Should the call not be from a registered telemarketer,the process moves to block 312.

Should the call be from a registered telemarketer, the process moves toblock 308. At block 308, the consumer is determined. For example, forcalls initiated (for example, over the Internet through a portalconnected to interface 208, or a by calling into a central telephonenumber) by a telemarketer registered in database 210, the telemarketerwill transmit the unique code corresponding to a specific campaign,subject or topic, which will cause call module 206 to retrieve therelevant data from database 210, such as relevant keywords orcategories, demographics and/or psychographics, price it will pay aconsumer for a call, etc., and the call module 206 will then scan theconsumer database 211, for consumer information (data), to correlatetelemarketer information (data) with consumer information (data), toselect the best consumer to receive the call, hence, determine theconsumer to receive the call. The price of the call may also bedetermined at this time, at block 310, for example, by the call module206. The process then moves to block 312.

At block 312, the system 102′ determines whether to block the call. Forexample, the call module 206 monitors calls placed to all telephonenumbers registered in database 211. If call module 206 detects the callwas initiated by a telemarketer properly registered in database 210, theprocess moves to block 314, where the call is sent through to theconsumer. If call module 206 detects that a call has not been initiatedby a telemarketer registered in database 210, the call module 206applies its programmed rules and policies to determine whether tonevertheless permit the call to ring through, or whether to block thecall. For example, the call module 206 will scan its list of knownunregistered telemarketing telephone numbers and other unwanted callers.The process next moves to block 313 a, where it is processed inaccordance with the consumer's expressed preferences, as configured bythe consumer from time to time, and recorded in database 211. If thetelemarketer is on a list of unwanted callers, the process will movethrough block 313 a and terminate by moving to block 322, where it ends.If the telemarketer or caller is not on any list of unwanted callers,and the consumer has created and configured a disposable telephonenumber account via module 209, to receive and record unknown messages,and if the calling number is otherwise in accordance with the systemrules and policies, the process moves to block 313 b to record and storea voice message, and thereafter to block 322 where the process ends. Ifthere is a disposable telephone number account but it is configured bythe consumer to permit unknown calls which are not on any block list, toring through, then the process moves to block 314, where it is permittedto ring through to the consumer's registered phone number. If there isno disposable telephone number account and the caller is on a list ofunwanted callers or the consumer has configured their preferences toreject all unknown callers, then the process moves to block 322, wherethe call is terminated and the process ends. Should the calling number,telemarketer or other caller not be on any list of unwanted callers, andif the calling number is otherwise in accordance with the system rulesand policies, the process moves to block 314 where it can ring throughto the consumer's registered phone number.

Returning back to block 312, it is determined whether the call or othercommunication (e.&, an unsolicited text message) is to be blocked,depending upon whether there is sufficient data to identify the calleras an unwanted caller. Registered consumers may add to lists of numberswhich they want blocked from reaching them, and they may furtheridentify the unwanted number as a telemarketer or some other category ofcaller. Call module 206 will maintain lists of robocallers and otherunwanted callers based on publicly available information, as well asinformation acquired by the operation of system 102′ and the data inputby registered consumers, registered telemarketers and the systemadministrators. Call module 206 will block calls to a registeredconsumer from each telephone number the consumer indicated they wantblocked, any specific telemarketer they want blocked, and any numberidentified by call module 206 as a robocaller or other unregisteredtelemarketer. The consumer may alternatively indicate they wish allcalls or other electronic messages to be blocked except when theyoriginate from certain permitted numbers (including those fromacceptable categories of registered telemarketers). Alternately, if theconsumer has selected a disposable phone number through disposabletelephone number module 209, and the consumer has configured theirpreferences for that disposable telephone number to receive any callsnot otherwise identified by call module 206, then the calling number maybe forwarded to the voicemail box associated with the consumer'sdisposable phone number, as earlier described. The consumer mayalternately configure preferences to have the calling number beforwarded to any other compatible voicemail box, including thevoicemail, if any, of the consumer's phone number registered with system102′. If call module 206 cannot identify an incoming call as a caller tobe blocked, nor as a registered telemarketer, and the consumer has notselected or sufficiently configured a disposable phone number accountthrough disposable telephone number module 209, call module 206 willpermit the call to ring through. Consumers 120 a-120 n may update theirpreferences (such as but not limited to the addition, modification ordeletion of disposable phone numbers), including those pertaining tounwanted callers, at any time through the application 103′, which theyhave downloaded onto their smartphone, computer or the like, or via theonline portal through which they may access their account on system102′.

Also at block 312, the call module 206 determines, for example, inreal-time, pursuant to its programmed rules and policies, e.g., whetherthe consumer is on one of its “Do Not Call” lists, whether the consumerregistered an interest in the telemarketer' s campaign on the basis ofkeywords or categories checked by the consumer, whether the consumerdisclosed demographics and/or psychographics compatible with thosedesired by the telemarketer, whether the caller is on a block list,whether the consumer is agreeable to receiving a call or othercommunication at the time the call was placed, and the like, and sendsthe call to, or permits the call to ring through to, or the text messageor other communication to be transmitted through to, the germaneconsumer, over the network 100. With the call or other electroniccommunication from the telemarketer now received by the consumer, aninteractive contact or interactive contact session is made between thetelemarketer and the consumer. This interactive contact or interactivecontact session continues until either the telemarketer or the consumerends, or otherwise terminates the call or other electroniccommunication.

In setting up and making the call, including connecting the call betweenthe telemarketer and the consumer determined to receive the call, by thecall being transmitted to the consumer, or transmitting a text messageor other electronic communication, as per blocks 304, 306, 308, 310, 312and 314, the call module 206 and NCECM 215 keep consumer informationanonymous and hidden from the telemarketer who is initiating the call orother communication based on choices earlier made by the consumer andrecorded in database 211. If the consumer 120 a-120 n elects to remainanonymous, the only information about the consumer that is available tothe telemarketer is in an ‘anonymous’ format, and may include, forexample, the consumer's general geographic location, and/or a preferenceto only speak with a vendor or to only receive text messages from avendor. Although the system 102′ has full access to the information indatabase 211 and call module 206 and NCECM 215 utilize that informationin deciding which consumer to connect with which telemarketer campaign,the only consumer information from database 211 shared with thetelemarketer at the time the call is connected or the communication istransmitted, is the information approved for disclosure by the consumer.Neither call module 206 nor non-calling electronic communications module215 allow for the passage of PII (personally identifiable information)about the consumer, to be made available to the telemarketer, withoutthe consumer's affirmative consent or action (e.g., providing theinformation in the course of a call or a follow-up call, or makingselections in their consumer platform account or via text messageresponses to tender certain information about themselves to registeredtelemarketers).

NCECM 215 helps control what information is disclosed to the advertiserby ensuring any phone number or link inserted into a text message orsimilar electronic communications displayed to the consumer, whether ornot activatable (e.g., through a click-to-call or hyperlinkimplementation), is controlled by system 102′, before it passes throughto the advertiser (or other content provider). Thus, for example, a textmessage containing a click-to-call phone number for an advertiser, willnot contain a phone number which directly rings the advertiser; thephone number will be a unique number controlled by system 102′ andmaintained in telemarketer database 210, which will forward theconsumer's call to a number designated by the advertiser. Consequently,the call to the advertiser will be coming from system 102′ and in thismanner, the advertiser will only know that the call is coming from aconsumer associated with system 102′, but will not know the identity ofor other information about the caller, unless system 102′ provides theadditional information, as permitted by the consumer and recorded in theconsumer's preferences maintained at consumer database 211. Foravoidance of doubt, the unique identifier associated with eachadvertising campaign enabling the consumer to call the advertiser may bea phone number but is not limited to a phone number. It may also be someother numeric, alphabetical or other alpha-numeric ID associated witheach advertising campaign and recorded in telemarketer database 210.

A consumer may invite the telemarketer to contact the consumer forfollow-up calls through call module 206 or non-calling electroniccommunications module 215, while remaining anonymous. The consumer andtelemarketer making such arrangement will have their preferencesrecorded in databases 210 and 211. When the telemarketer next initiatesthe appropriate promotional campaign in which the consumer indicatedinterest, that consumer will be in the pool of eligible participants tobe called or to otherwise receive an electronic communication; if anappointment for a follow-up call for a date and time certain was made,the telemarketer shall be notified in advance to remind them to initiatethe call and, depending on the consumer's contact preferences, theconsumer may be sent a text message in advance to confirm theappointment as well.

The system 102′ then determines whether the call is a chargeable call orother communication to a registered telemarketer, at block 316. This isdone for example, by verifying that the telemarketer, is a registeredtelemarketer, who is the entity making the call to the consumer. Shouldthe call not be a chargeable call, for example, it is a call from anentity other than a registered telemarketer, which the system waspermitted to process by the consumer, the process moves to block 322,where it ends. Alternately, should the call be chargeable, the processmoves to block 318.

At block 318, the call module 206 or non-calling electroniccommunications module 215, as germane, determine whether theaforementioned chargeable call or text message (from a registeredtelemarketer) was received by the consumer. This receipt may, forexample, be defined by the consumer staying on the telephone for apredetermined time, so that a bona fide discussion ensued between thetelemarketer and consumer. This may also include a response by theconsumer or the telemarketer, such as a voice indication, touch, swipeor other activation of a link in a text message, or a touch screen,mouse click, or button depression on a cellular phone, smart phone orregular telephone, or the like, at, within and/or after a predeterminedtime, or other verification of receipt of the call or othercommunication by the consumer or by the telemarketer via the application103 or via the online account portal of the telemarketer or consumer, insystem 102′.

Should the consumer have received the call or other message from aregistered telemarketer and its receipt was verified, the process movesto block 320, where the call module sends data of the completion of thecall or other communication to the accounting module, along with theelectronic communication or call amount based on rules, processes andformulae, in order to debit the telemarketer's account and credit theconsumer's account for this call or other communication. Rules andprocesses are used to dictate the amount charged for the call or othercommunication. For example, use of text messaging services to set andconfirm appointment times, and heavy use of demographic information, mayresult in additional charges for a call. Use of only text messages,without phone calls, may result in reduced charges. The process thenmoves to block 322 where it ends.

Returning to block 318, should the call not be answered, or its receiptnot verified, the process moves to block 322, where it ends.

For example, a determination of which consumer to call by atelemarketer, such as that performed at block 306, is now illustrated.Telemarketer 1 (for example represented by 110 a), and shown in Database210 of FIG. 2B, to which reference is also made, is marketing a newrestaurant that is franchised throughout the United States. Therestaurant franchise serves fast food, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, andfrench fries and has registered a campaign with the system 102′ for afree dessert with the purchase of any entrée. Telemarketer 1 fills out apreferred demographic profile which leaves the category “healthylifestyle” unchecked. Telemarketer 1 will pay up to $2.50 to complete acall with any registered consumer in the platform.

Consumer 1 (represented by 120 a) registered with the system 102′, asshown in the database 211 of FIG. 2C, to which reference is also made,and also checked interest categories for “food” and “restaurants”, aswell as disclosed a demographic affiliation with “healthy lifestyle”.Consumer 2 (represented by 120 b) registered with the Platform 102′ andhas checked categories of interest in promotions for “food” and“restaurants” and has not provided any demographic profile information.Consumer 3 registered with the Platform 102′ and checked the interestcategory “travel.” When Telemarketer 1 contacts call module 206 andtenders the code for its free dessert offer, call module 206 utilizesits rules and policies in real time to determine Consumer 3 isunsuitable for the campaign because no relevant interest category waschecked by Consumer 3. Call module 206 next determines that on the basisof the available information between Consumer 1 and Consumer 2, Consumer2 is the best candidate to call, because Consumer 1's discloseddemographic profile includes a check for “healthy lifestyle” whileConsumer 2′s demographic profile left the “healthy lifestyle” categoryunchecked, as preferred by Telemarketer 1. Accordingly, Telemarketer 1will have its call connected by the call module 206 to Consumer 2. Theinformation tendered to Telemarketer 1 by system 102′ is that Consumer 2has checked only the “food” and “restaurant” categories; no personallyidentifiable information such as name, address or telephone number istendered by the Platform to Telemarketer 1.

Alternatively, the system 102′ is able to conduct polls or surveys, suchas polls initiated by journalists, politicians, medical groups,educational groups, or private parties undertaking consumer focus groupsurveys. With this system, the survey taker or pollster is substitutedfor the role of the telemarketer.

In another alternative, the system 102′ is configured to providetelecommunications services and supplementary functionality to anInternet-based marketplace generally relying upon text-basedcommunications, in which buyers or sellers wish to interact with eachother while initially remaining anonymous. For example, in a marketplacesuch as one operated by Ebay®, potential buyers may from time to timewish to communicate with sellers via a voice call rather than standardtext-based methods, but the buyer may wish to remain anonymous unless oruntil they consummate a transaction with the seller. In the case of thisalternative embodiment, sellers and buyers may contact and communicatewith each other using the same rules disclosed above, with sellersgenerally substituted for the role of the telemarketer, and potentialbuyers generally substituted for the role of the consumer. Yet anotherexample of this alternative configuration pertains to a datingmarketplace in which participants may meet each other and, if they sochoose, eventually set up meetings or dates, but initially wish toremain anonymous. System 102′ may initially match participants basedupon compatible interest, geographic, timing and other categories,substantially similar to the manner in which the system matches atelemarketer with a consumer, enabling participants to speak with and/ortext message each other, without any exchange of personally identifiableinformation, unless and until such PII is affirmatively provided by oneparticipant to the other.

A third alternative pertains to the use of the system 102′ to make callson behalf of various non-profit or advocacy groups seeking support ordonations from the public. In this embodiment, members of the public mayregister with the system 102′ to indicate causes and ideas of interestto them, much like consumers may indicate interest in specific goods orservices, and advocacy or non-profit groups may create campaigns insystem 102′ much like an advertiser may create a campaign for its goodsor services.

A fourth alternative pertains to the use of the system 102′ to makecalls between participants interested in any imaginable topic, rangingfrom religion, to sports, philosophy, education, hobbies, etc. Similarto a match-making system fostering dating, system 102′ may makeconnections between participants sharing similar interests who wish todiscuss or exchange information about any imaginable topic. Just as, forexample, telemarketer is connected with a consumer interested in lifeinsurance, a participant interested in learning about model traincollecting may be connected with another hobbyist-expert in modeltrains.

The implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of theinvention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually,automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actualinstrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or systemof the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented byhardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof usingan operating system or a cloud-based platform (such as those provided byAmazon Web Services™ or Microsoft® Azure™)

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according toembodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or acircuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of theinvention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructionsbeing executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according toexemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein areperformed by a data processor, such as a computing platform forexecuting a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processorincludes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or anon-volatile storage, for example, non-transitory storage media such asa magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructionsand/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. Adisplay and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse areoptionally provided as well.

For example, any combination of one or more non-transitory computerreadable (storage) medium(s) may be utilized in accordance with theabove-listed embodiments of the present invention. The non-transitorycomputer readable (storage) medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

As will be understood with reference to the paragraphs and thereferenced drawings, provided above, various embodiments ofcomputer-implemented methods are provided herein, some of which can beperformed by various embodiments of apparatuses and systems describedherein and some of which can be performed according to instructionsstored in non-transitory computer-readable storage media describedherein. Still, some embodiments of computer-implemented methods providedherein can be performed by other apparatuses or systems and can beperformed according to instructions stored in computer-readable storagemedia other than that described herein, as will become apparent to thosehaving skill in the art with reference to the embodiments describedherein. Any reference to systems and computer-readable storage mediawith respect to the following computer-implemented methods is providedfor explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any of suchsystems and any of such non-transitory computer-readable storage mediawith regard to embodiments of computer-implemented methods describedabove. Likewise, any reference to the following computer-implementedmethods with respect to systems and computer-readable storage media isprovided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any ofsuch computer-implemented methods disclosed herein.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations ofblocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can beimplemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform thespecified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from otherembodiments.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other describedembodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the contextof various embodiments are not to be considered essential features ofthose embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without thoseelements.

The above-described processes including portions thereof can beperformed by software, hardware and combinations thereof. Theseprocesses and portions thereof can be performed by computers,computer-type devices, workstations, cloud-based platforms, processors,micro-processors, other electronic searching tools and memory and othernon-transitory storage-type devices associated therewith. The processesand portions thereof can also be embodied in programmable non-transitorystorage media, for example, compact discs (CDs) or other discs includingmagnetic, optical, etc., readable by a machine or the like, or othercomputer usable storage media, including magnetic, optical, orsemiconductor storage, or other source of electronic signals.

The processes (methods) and systems, including components thereof,herein have been described with exemplary reference to specific hardwareand software. The processes (methods) have been described as exemplary,whereby specific steps and their order can be omitted and/or changed bypersons of ordinary skill in the art to reduce these embodiments topractice without undue experimentation. The processes (methods) andsystems have been described in a manner sufficient to enable persons ofordinary skill in the art to readily adapt other hardware and softwareas may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments to practice withoutundue experimentation and using conventional techniques.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

1. A method for caller identification comprising: setting a code,selected in whole or in part by a user, corresponding to that user;associating the code with calls from an entity; and, causing the code todisplay on a telephone or other communication device associated with theuser when calls are transmitted from the entity.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the entity includes a computerized calling platform.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the telephone includes: a smartphone,cellular phone or other mobile or communication device.